It's the final Strasmas of the first half, and the kid will be facing yet another stiff challenge tonight at Nationals Park.

For one thing, the Giants are sending a tough right-hander of their own to the mound in Matt Cain (career 4-2 with a 2.67 ERA against the Nats). For another thing, Jim Riggleman won't have several regulars in his lineup.

Josh Willingham has a surprising day off. That wasn't announced in advance, so I'm not sure if there's an injury issue or something else, but I'll let you know once I know. Everyone's favorite Willie Harris is starting in left field. Ian Desmond also is out, though that was somewhat expected. Riggleman said yesterday that Cristian Guzman would be starting all three games of this series.

And for the first time in Strasburg's brief career, Ivan Rodriguez will not be behind the plate. Pudge started all three games against San Diego, so Wil Nieves gets his first regular-season crack at catching The Kid tonight. (Nieves did work with Strasburg in spring training.)

Dave-He's got four consecutive days off starting Sunday afternoon around 4:30 PM. Still doesn't make sense. If they wanted to give him a break they would have done it earlier in the week, when Pudge was in the lineup and the ASB wasn't 27 innings away.Of course, it doesn't make sense that a guy hitting .161 with a .257 OBP is batting sixth in a major league lineup, so maybe we shouldn't be expecting things to make sense.

Why would anyone in their right mind throw a pitch to Dunn tonight with that gang of clowns hitting behind him? It could be a long night of walking to first base, walking back to the dugout, repeat, repeat for Adam.

I must rely on "Gameday" to follow the game.It seems as though Strasburg is getting squeezed a bit on balls at the knees on the left edge of the plate. Does it also appear to be the case on tv or live?

CWJ: Yes, technically he does throw four pitches if you count the two fastballs (4-seam, 2-seam) as different pitches. Though I have to say, I feel like he has rarely been throwing the 2-seamer lately. Maybe I'm not recognizing it, but I feel like I haven't seen it very much.

To atone for their negative natterings, the naysayers here now will open their books to the words of Matthew, "And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?"